Guyana has emphasised that the sustainable development and use of natural resources is critical for the prosperity of the world’s population and must be seen as part of the response to wider environmental challenges.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud at the Inter Governmental Conference on Sustainable Development in Tbilisi, Georgia, said: “We cannot ignore the role of developing mining and forestry and other extractive activities if we are to bring about a better life for our people. This reality he says must be incorporated into any effective environmental educational programme for sustainable development.”
In addressing the high level segment of the conference under the theme “Educate Today to Sustain the Future”, Minister Persaud pointed to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy where the emphasis on the use of its natural resources is done in tandem with the country’s and global communities’ sustainable development. He made it clear that as part of Guyana’s model, there is, and will continue to be, the expansion of the natural resources/extractive activities while taking into account the need for sustainability and environmentally-friendly approaches.
He further stated that the achievement of sustainable development and the MDGs therefore consists of a “people element”. It is education that provides the linkage between people and the successful implementation of developmental plans.
Minister Persaud also made reference to the recently launched Pick it Up – Guyana campaign, another national programme which aims to infuse greater consciousness in the Guyanese populace to keep their environment clean. He explained that the campaign goes beyond just creating awareness and moves into the realm of greater citizen involvement in maintaining a clean and healthy environment, through the recognition of its linkage to health and provision of environmental services.
The Minister also urged the international community to support both multilateral and national initiatives that will promote sustainable development especially given the outcome of the RIO +20 Conference. He pointed to the seeming loss of momentum by some in the global community on dealing with climate change and similar challenges, as well as the many missed opportunities for substantive progress.
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